What is all this but Merry Durability and Cheering Strength? Isn’t that being sturdy? Isn’t that doing hard things with a smile on our face? Isn’t that being the round, worn, safe place for our people? Being a woman, wife, mother, homemaker requires more grit than our aprons, ruffles, and nurturing of little things imply. This grit takes time to grow, but I want to grow it. I want to be sturdy so I can be a helper. I know that I’m dependent on my husband, family, friends, and church, but I want to be as sturdy in that dependence as I possibly can, so that when war comes, my man can answer the call. But also, so that when plants die, drought comes, chickens get sick, a friend needs a meal, or my own health declines, I can carry on happily. I want this for me, and I want it for all of you in your homes.

For us homemakers, gardens allow us to create beauty and rest around our structures as well as in. They let us practice hospitality by creating curb appeal that welcomes people into our dwellings. Who doesn’t love entering a home surrounded by growing things?

All the media and modern myths you imbibe act as if feminism is an accepted truth filled with good, as the above quote says. It’s the modern philosophy we aren’t supposed to question. You will have to do the hard hard work of digging it out of your own heart, because believe me, it’s there.

Once upon a time, women were warned about how they might destroy their homes. We were put on our guard by wise men and women. We were given cautionary tales to guide us. We were aware of the dangers we might inflict on people due to our gullibility, foolishness, indiscretion, and laziness. This used to be a part of our lives. In our current storytelling, women are often raised up as almost infallible.

If we ever need something to elevate what we do, to show us how important what we do is, we should think of ourselves as the gatekeepers.

Ladies, attitude is everything as homemakers. We can make poverty an adventure, water into broth, cold nights cozy, husbands into courageous warriors, and children into men and women. We do this. Us. The homemakers. But we can’t do this if we’re not thankful.